An activity
created by Joan Ripoll
Text adapted Adapted from 'El País' International Edition, written by
Begoña Aguirre
Madrid Shanties
A recent study compiled by the
University of Navarre reveals an alarming state of poverty in Madrid and paints
a disturbing picture of some 27,000 families residing in extreme poverty today.
Representing 1.5 percent of families in the capital, this social group face
painful situations, 40 percent of whom are living on less than €360 a month
to feed a family of three or more. "We have reached an abhorrent social
situation which is unacceptable for the capital of the country," said Miguel
Laparra, sociologist and director of the study. On the wider national level,
3 percent of all families are scraping the bottom of the barrel across Spain.
There are a number of obstacles against these families, of which one is the
rising price of property in Madrid. While housing accounted for 42.3 percent
of family income in 1998, last year it had risen to just under 50 percent, and
continues to climb. Subsequently, a large number of families are dependent on
inherited homes, rented accommodation with long leases or social housing. And
5,411 families are confined to chabolas, or shantytowns, on the outskirts of
the city where social problems abound.
The study also reveals that 85,000 families, or 5.5 percent, suffer labour exclusion
where no member of the family is in employment, or few with temporary work.
And that situation is underlined by the state of education. Approximately 75,400
of those over the age of 16 are illiterate. Of the school-going age (six to
16 years), 1,617 do not attend school. And of the over-16 age bracket, 7,900
have given up on an education for the future.
Of the 80,000 of our poorest citizens, 25,000 are children who face a dark future
with little chance of escaping the cycle of poverty.
For this group living on the other side of the social border today, 11,000 receive
a government subsidy of €258. But the remaining 16,000 are not eligible
for public aid , despite their obvious needs.
While current legislation only grants subsidies in accordance with its social
integration programmes, where suitable recipients undergo are given training
and are sent back to work plans, the new guidelines, due to take effect next
January, will directly reach out to those in economic need in attempt to eradicate
the situation of poverty that is affecting so many at present.
1. Look for a word in the text similar in meaning to the following words.
Worrying without basic education
Increasing have abandoned
Therefore official financial help
Marginal suburbs of big cities eliminate
2. Answer the following sentences about the passage using your own words.
1. Does Madrid have a normal number of poor people, according to the author? Why?
2. What is the situation of these families, in general terms? Housing, employment, education.
3. How do government subsidies work? What is going to change in the future ?
3. Explain in your own words:
1. Scraping the bottom of the barrel
2. Cycle of poverty
4. Are the following sentences true or false, according to the passage.
1. Little more than €360 is needed to raise a family of three or more.
2. Poverty outside big cities is a worrying issue.
3. Paying for their homes takes most of the families' income.
4. Most children finish their studies.
5. A great majority of poor people manage to overcome their situation.
5. Write about 100 words about the following subject:
"Big cities are the main focus of poverty for some obvious reasons."
Webmaster Isabel Pérez Torres
